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Archiver > RHEA > 2002-02 > 1013470630


From: Norma Lewis <>
Subject: [RHEA] Re: RHEA-D Digest V02 #30
Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2002 15:38:31 -0800
References: <200202111801.g1BI18S14453@lists5.rootsweb.com>


I recently ID'ed myself as a lurker with the interest of the Rhea/Coiner
Connection ~ but I run across Rays, Reas, Rheas, Wrays all the time in
researching my VA lines. I also research Mattingly, Mattenly, Matney
surnames which are related, and they migrated from MD in rather diverse
ways ~ along the James River to Halifax and Pittsyvania Cos. to
Washington Co. VA and very few into TN. Another bunch came through
Western MD, old Frederick, Washington, Montgomery Counties, along the
New River to Washington County and many into KY very early. There was an
early Catholic Mattingly community in KY but my Matney family were
Methodists, and the Mattinglys still don't like to claim us. The Western
MD group seemed to mix with Pennsylvanians (Cumberland Co) who migrated
west along the New River and wound up in Washington Co. VA and TN. Our
Matneys in NC are from Pittsylvania Co where the Dan River crosses the
state boundary into NC. We havn't found any Rhea/Matney marriages, but
there are some in the closely allied families (Kilgores, Killians,
Nickels, Broadwater, Brooks, Youngs, etc.)
all in that Washington County VA area ~ and you know, Washington County
in the extreme SW triangle ofVA became many other counties

My motive for all this is not clear, this is a good way to do research.
Study the way your ancesters got where they ended up. But, I find the
relatives of old Archibald Rhea in this area of Washington County VA
from Augusta County (and Rockingham, Botetourt, etc.)
and entering TN from here. So, it might be a good idea to group these
Rheas and Rays from PA to where they migrated. Families and extended
families stuck together especially in those days. They needed large
numbers for protection, they formed reliqious groups and they
intermarried people they knew, from the "neighborhood."

I found a new site yesterday, "Gathering of the Clans". Has anybody been
looking at that? It seems to be new and the study of the clans is very
complex. I don't think I'm up to it and if so, I'd do the Welsh instead.
But, one thing I noticed is that the given names were used over and over
until there would be many, many of the same name. Here is the URL:
http://www.tartans.com/

Brick walls are the pitts. If anyone finds any VA Mattinglys or Matneys
I havn't found, please let me know,especially any biographical data.
We've found most
most of the census and tax list notes. The name in Pittsylvania Co. may
have evolved to Matherly. Very interesting family that may begin in
France as de Matteneye.
Norma

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